What is this thing: the strangest finds. Issue 178

Some people enjoy scouring vintage stores, while others are lucky enough to discover unique items sitting in their basement. But they have one thing in common: people find unusual objects and have no idea what they are used for. Luckily for them, the Internet is full of all sorts of gurus who are eager to solve any mystery. In this post you will see unique finds.





1. Found this as part of a silverware set. What do you think about his purpose?



This is a butter tool. With its help, the pieces are wound in a spiral, and an interesting shape is obtained.

2. Found these metal objects in the sea under the pier at low tide



These are Hindu offerings.

3. What kind of object is hanging from the ceiling in the hospital. Does anyone know what this is for?



This is a ceiling antenna to boost cellular signal.

4. Found in the house along with many old nautical artifacts



Vintage knot sensor for recording speed. It's essentially a boat speedometer. A propeller-like object is in the water and rotates as the boat moves, the rope rotates and moves the dial, telling you the speed indicated on the dial.

5. Found this vessel while digging a cellar



This is a traditional Chinese soy sauce jar.

6. Short table with an opening in the front, a fence in the back and storage on both sides



This is a coffee table. The crossbar is designed to prevent items from sliding off the far edge when you sit on the sofa.

7. What is this strange glass dish?



Below is a baking dish for chickens, and on top is a “universal lid” for pots or pans. They fit together easily and both are part of the same set, so it seems like they need to be used together, but they don't.

8. Metal, plastic clamps



These are garter belt clips that were widely used in the 1960s.

9. Bought at a bazaar in Afghanistan. The inside of the vessel is hollow, and there is a “cork” lid



This is an upside down oil lamp. The top is screwed on to fit into some kind of base, perhaps for wall mounting.

10. What is that curved metal device above the handle of a hotel bathtub?



This is a waterfall bathtub filler.

11. Black cast iron skillet with a raised flat surface in the center



Donut pan.

12. Glass bowl with a slope on a wooden stand with a dark rim



Bowl for terrariums.

13. Probably a kitchen tool



This is for squeezing lemon juice, leaving the seeds inside.

14. I found a strange set of cards - only 44 cards. They have holes that are located randomly



This is a deck for tricks.

15. I think it's made of marble. What is this thing?



This is an antique organizer for women's decorative cosmetics.